More

On Air Schedule:

Best Museum Tours In Metro Detroit

August 18, 2014 8:00 AM

Charles H Wright Museum(credit: chwmuseum.org)

Get more out of the museum experience by taking a guided tour. Experts can highlight important details and added anecdotes really draw visitors into the exhibition. Tours can be more than just informative, offering an eye-opening entry into a world you never knew existed. Sign up to take the tours listed below and check out this list for more ideas.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the largest institution in the world devoted to African American history and culture. Founded in 1965, the Wright Museum has seen a lot of changes, reflected not only in the renovations to the building over the years, but also in its expanded exhibitions. Visitors can explore intriguing exhibitions such as “Black Women Rock;” “A Theatre of Color,” which focuses on costume designers; “Inspiring Minds,” dedicated to luminaries in science and technology; and “A is for Africa,” an engaging exhibit for children. The museum gives visitors guided tours Tuesday through Saturday, and can offer deeper perspective as docents provide insight into the details of exhibits and the story behind them. Learn things you would otherwise never hear, including stories as told by the guide. The Wright Museum is almost always hosting an event, including discussions with special guests and live entertainment including poetry and music programs.

Learn about the history of the automobile in an engaging way. The Ford Rouge Factory Tour allows visitors to discover, through a first-hand experience, how vehicles are manufactured in the factory and on the assembly line. Watch an informative film and check out the ‘view from the top’ of the “green” roof, a sustainable rooftop garden made from plants. Another highlight is the bird’s eye view of the plant floor. It’s a pretty unique vantage point that really gives visitors an overall sense of the magnitude of such a large-scale operation. Tour guides are available throughout the factory to answer questions about the plant.

The Holocaust Memorial Center brings to light many aspects of Jewish history and culture through a series of exhibitions. Some of the exhibits use actual artifacts from the period, which serves to enhance the experience for visitors. Guests can view a comprehensive timeline depicting events throughout Jewish history and have access to historical archives. Interactive media displays allow for in-depth exploration, and provides an historical perspective and great opportunity to learn. The thought-provoking design of the museum allows visitors a unique opportunity to experience events surrounding the Holocaust on an emotional level. A tour of the museum enhances the experience immensely. Public tours are held daily at 1 p.m. and allow walk-ins. Hear powerful personal experiences as told by survivors. This is a tour that will stay with you forever.

Pewabic Pottery is a school and studio dedicated to the creation of a specialized form of ceramics known for its distinct appearance. The studio was founded in 1903 and still produces decorative objects and tiles to this day. The self-guided tour is free to the public. Docent-guided tours include a first-hand look at craftspeople making this unique pottery live, giving visitors an in-depth look into the process behind pewabic pottery and into the studio where artists are working. Watch clay transform before your eyes into a piece of art. The artisans will show visitors a behind-the-scenes view into the entire process that goes into creating a piece of pewabic art.

Tucked away in an East Side neighborhood in Detroit sits the Heidelberg Project – an art installation that uses houses as the canvas. It is the artistic vision of creator Tyree Guyton. The project welcomes the public to view the creative enclave at its leisure, and tours are also available. A tour is a great way to find out about the actual idea behind the work. Guided tours provide insight and additional knowledge about the history and process of this unique outdoor exhibition. Hosts serve as a valuable resource and will take the time to answer questions from the group. Visitors can request a tour with a docent or the organization’s founder through the website.

After receiving a BA in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design, Nicole Wrona began working with a diverse range of musicians. In addition, she is a freelance writer for numerous publications. Her work can be found at www.metalleaves.com and Examiner.com.